Defiance of court verdicts anti-democratic: Nawaz
February 12th, 2012 - 7:23 pm ICT by IANS
Islamabad, Feb 12 (IANS) Ahead of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s court appearance to face contempt charges, one of his predecessors has said that defiance of court verdicts tantamounts to undermining the basis of democracy, Geo News reported.
In a statement, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif Saturday termed the honouring of court decisions as an essential factor for strengthening the democratic system and constitutional organs.
The attitude of elected rulers, said Nawaz, must be distinct in comparison to dictatorial regimes.
The former prime minister described the present supremacy of the constitution, independent judiciary, effective media and the right of the people to elect or reject rulers as fruits of sacrifices rendered over a long period of time and that these fruits cannot be put at stake for anyone’s personal gain.
Gilani will appear before the Supreme Court Monday to be formally charged with failing to reopen the graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
If convicted, the prime minister faces six months in prison and risks losing his parliamentary seat. He may also be slapped with a five-year ban from holding any public office.
Gilani has said he will resign if the Supreme Court convicts him.
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- PM Gilani has committed contempt, rules court (Third Lead) - Feb 03, 2012
- Pakistani PM faces possibility of disqualification: court - May 09, 2012
- Gilani's appeal in contempt case rejected by apex court - Feb 10, 2012
- Will resign if convicted: Gilani - Feb 12, 2012
- Pakistan braces for anti-government protests - Apr 30, 2012
- Tight security for Gilani's court appearance - Feb 12, 2012
- Contempt case: SC to decide Gilani's fate Thursday (Lead) - Apr 26, 2012
- Gilani contempt verdict to be announced April 26 - Apr 24, 2012
- Gilani convicted, opposition demands his ouster (Second Lead) - Apr 26, 2012
- Convicted Gilani must quit, says opposition - Apr 26, 2012
- Gilani convicted for contempt, opposition wants him out (Third Lead) - Apr 26, 2012
- Gilani to appear before Supreme Court for sentencing - Apr 25, 2012
- Gilani convicted for contempt, gets symbolic sentence (Lead) - Apr 26, 2012
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